US20170136557A1 - Manual clamp for key making machine - Google Patents
Manual clamp for key making machine Download PDFInfo
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- US20170136557A1 US20170136557A1 US15/284,239 US201615284239A US2017136557A1 US 20170136557 A1 US20170136557 A1 US 20170136557A1 US 201615284239 A US201615284239 A US 201615284239A US 2017136557 A1 US2017136557 A1 US 2017136557A1
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- United States
- Prior art keywords
- key
- pressure pad
- plunger
- clamp
- spring
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Classifications
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- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B23—MACHINE TOOLS; METAL-WORKING NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- B23C—MILLING
- B23C3/00—Milling particular work; Special milling operations; Machines therefor
- B23C3/28—Grooving workpieces
- B23C3/35—Milling grooves in keys
- B23C3/355—Holders for the template keys
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B23—MACHINE TOOLS; METAL-WORKING NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- B23C—MILLING
- B23C2235/00—Details of milling keys
- B23C2235/41—Scanning systems
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B23—MACHINE TOOLS; METAL-WORKING NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- B23C—MILLING
- B23C2260/00—Details of constructional elements
- B23C2260/76—Sensors
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B23—MACHINE TOOLS; METAL-WORKING NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- B23C—MILLING
- B23C2270/00—Details of milling machines, milling processes or milling tools not otherwise provided for
- B23C2270/08—Clamping mechanisms or provision for clamping
-
- Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
- Y10—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC
- Y10T—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER US CLASSIFICATION
- Y10T409/00—Gear cutting, milling, or planing
- Y10T409/30—Milling
- Y10T409/30084—Milling with regulation of operation by templet, card, or other replaceable information supply
- Y10T409/300952—Milling with regulation of operation by templet, card, or other replaceable information supply to cut lock key
Definitions
- the present disclosure is directed to a key making machine and, more particularly, to a manual clamp for a key making machine.
- Key making machines are used to create copies of master keys.
- a master key is mounted into a clamp and held stationary while an image of the master key is captured. The image is then used to reproduce a corresponding pattern of notches within a key blank, thereby replicating the master key.
- the '957 publication discloses a machine that uses an optical imaging device to capture a silhouette of an inserted master key.
- the silhouette is measured to determine a depth, angle, and position of each tooth in the master key, and to determine if the master key includes a pattern on one side or on both sides.
- the master key is manually secured inside the machine. Specifically, a user of the machine manually grasps a handle of a door clamp, and lifts upward to raise the door clamp against a spring bias.
- the master key is then placed within a slot formed in a base, and the door clamp is lowered back down onto the master key by the user.
- the spring bias causes the door clamp to maintain a downward force against the master key during imaging.
- the key making machine of the '957 publication may be adequate for some applications, it may still be less than optimal. In particular, it may be difficult for the door clamp to exert enough force on the master key to keep it secure during imaging, without making raising of the door clamp overly difficult for some users. In addition, it may be possible for the master key to be misaligned and/or to be mishandled during manual insertion while the door clamp is raised.
- the disclosed clamp and key making machine are directed to overcoming one or more of the problems set forth above and/or other problems of the prior art.
- the present disclosure is directed to a clamp for a key making machine.
- the clamp may include a stationary head guide having a slot configured to receive a key, and a pressure pad configured to engage the stationary head guide and sandwich the key therebetween.
- the clamp may also include at least a first spring configured to continuously generate a force biasing the pressure pad toward the stationary head guide, a plunger configured to selectively engage the pressure pad, and a second spring configured to bias the plunger toward the pressure pad.
- the clamp may further include a release lever manually operable to urge the plunger away from the pressure pad and to compress the second spring.
- the present disclosure is directed to a key making machine.
- the key making machine may include a housing having an opening configured to receive a key, an imaging system located within the housing and configured to capture an edge profile of the key, and a cutting system located within the housing and configured to cut a biting pattern into the key.
- the key making machine may also include a clamp configured to secure the key during at least one of an imaging process and a cutting process.
- the clamp may have a stationary head guide with a slot configured to receive a key, and a pressure pad configured to engage the stationary head guide and sandwich the key therebetween.
- the clamp may also have at least a first spring configured to continuously generate a force biasing the pressure pad toward the stationary head guide, a plunger configured to selectively engage the pressure pad, and a second spring configured to bias the plunger toward the pressure pad.
- the clamp may further have a release lever manually operable to urge the plunger away from the pressure pad and to compress the second spring.
- the present disclosure is directed to a method of clamping a key within a machine.
- the method may include pressing a lever to reduce a spring bias urging a pressure pad toward a head guide.
- the method may also include inserting a key between the pressure pad and the head guide, causing the pressure pad to move away from the head guide against a spring bias.
- the method may further include releasing the lever to increase the spring bias clamping the key between the pressure pad and the head guide during at least one of an imaging process and a cutting process performed on the key.
- FIG. 1 is a cutaway view illustration of an exemplary disclosed key making machine
- FIG. 2 is an isometric view illustration of an exemplary disclosed clamp that may form a portion of the key making machine of FIG. 1 ;
- FIG. 3 is a top plan view of the clamp of FIG. 2 ;
- FIG. 4 is a perspective illustration of the key making machine and clamp of FIGS. 1-3 , from an internal perspective;
- FIGS. 5 and 6 are cross-sectional side views of the clamp of FIGS. 2 and 3 shown in two different operating positions.
- FIG. 1 illustrates an exemplary key making machine (“machine”) 10 that can be used to fabricate a copy of an existing master key from a corresponding key blank.
- machine 10 may be used to capture an edge profile of the master key and/or to create within the key blank a biting pattern corresponding to the edge profile.
- machine 10 includes an imaging system 12 configured to generate the edge profile of the master key, and a clamp 16 configured to secure the master key during profile generation. Imaging system 12 and clamp 16 may be co-located within a common housing 18 , portions of which have been removed from FIG. 1 for clarity. It is contemplated that machine 10 could include additional or alternative systems (e.g., a cutting system, an inventory system, a debris removal system, etc.), if desired.
- clamp 16 could additionally or alternatively be used to secure the key blank during biting profile generation by the cutting system.
- the term “key” will be used throughout the remainder of this disclosure to generically represent the master key and/or the key blank.
- FIGS. 2-4 An exemplary embodiment of clamp 16 is shown in FIGS. 2-4 .
- an opening 20 may be formed in a front panel of housing 18 to provide user-access to clamp 16 ;
- a fixed head guide 22 having an internal slot 23 may be positioned at opening 20 ;
- a movable tip guide 24 may be positioned behind head guide 22 .
- Each of these components may cooperate to receive the key as it is inserted by the user shank-first through opening 20 .
- Edges 25 of slot 23 may be beveled inward toward a general center such that, as the key is inserted, the head of the key may engage the bevels and be urged toward the center (i.e., toward greater alignment with tip guide 24 ).
- a sensor 27 may be used to detect movement of tip guide 24 and thereby trigger activation of machine 10 .
- sensor 27 may be configured to generate a beam of energy that passes through a corresponding gap 29 in tip guide 24 at a time when tip guide 24 is situated to receive the key. As tip guide 24 is pushed inward during key insertion, gap 29 may move past sensor 27 such that the beam of energy is blocked by tip guide 24 . The blocking of the beam may result in a signal being generated that is indicative of key insertion.
- clamp 16 may further include a movable pressure pad 26 that is biased downward (relative to the perspective shown in FIGS. 2 and 4 ) against head guide 22 by a pair of springs 28 located at opposing ends of pressure pad 26 (i.e., at opposing sides of slot 23 ).
- Each spring 28 may internally receive a vertical guide rail 30 that passes through both of head guide 22 and pressure pad 26 , and be held in place via a snap ring 32 connected to a distal end of guide rail 30 .
- the head of the key may be sandwiched between a lower surface of pressure pad 26 and an upper surface of slot 23 .
- springs 28 may together apply a continuous downward force of about 3 lbs. on the head of the key.
- pressure pad 26 may be urged by the engagement with the key upward against the bias of springs 28 and away from head guide 22 .
- one or more travel limiters 31 may be used to limit a maximum distance that pressure pad 26 may be moved away from head guide 22 during insertion of the key. It is contemplated that travel limiters 31 may be omitted, if desired, and/or that another configuration of springs 28 may alternatively be implemented to provide the continuous downward bias on pressure pad 26 .
- the bias may be insufficient for subsequent imaging and/or cutting processes. That is, the key may need to remain completely stationary during the subsequent process(es), and an additional temporary biasing force may be used for this purpose after the key is already located between head guide 22 and pressure pad 26 .
- the temporary biasing force may be provided via an additional spring 33 , and exerted on pressure pad 26 via a plunger 34 .
- FIG. 1 shows that the initial bias of springs 28 exerted on pressure pad 26 against the head of the key may help to reduce misalignment and mishandling errors during loading, the bias may be insufficient for subsequent imaging and/or cutting processes. That is, the key may need to remain completely stationary during the subsequent process(es), and an additional temporary biasing force may be used for this purpose after the key is already located between head guide 22 and pressure pad 26 .
- the temporary biasing force may be provided via an additional spring 33 , and exerted on pressure pad 26 via a plunger 34 .
- plunger 34 may be reciprocally disposed to slide within a vertical bore 36 of a block 38 that is mounted gravitationally above pressure pad 26 , and spring 33 may be compressed between a bottom surface of block 38 and a snap ring 39 that is connected to a midpoint of plunger 34 . In this location, spring 33 may generate a force on plunger 34 , urging plunger 34 downward against the upper surface of pressure pad 26 . In the disclosed embodiment, the additional force generated by spring 33 may be about 12 lbs., making for a total of about 15 lbs. pressing down on the head of the key.
- a mechanical advantage may be provided to help reduce the effort required from the operator.
- the mechanical advantage is provided by way of a lever arm.
- a release lever 40 may be pivotally connected at an internal end to plunger 34 via a first pivot pin 42 .
- pivot pin 42 may pass transversely through plunger 34
- release lever 40 may be forked at its internal end to receive pivot pin 42 between corresponding tines 41 .
- Release lever 40 may also be pivotally connected to block 38 via a second pivot pin 44 that passes transversely though a shaft of release lever 40 .
- a push button or handle 46 may be formed at an external end of the release lever shaft.
- second pivot pin 44 may function as a fulcrum, such that, when handle 46 is pushed downward by the user, plunger 34 may be pulled upwards and away from pressure pad 26 with a mechanically multiplied moment. When this occurs, the force urging pressure pad 26 toward head guide 22 may be reduced (e.g., from about 15 lbs. to about 3 lbs.).
- a travel limit pin 48 may protrude inward from plunger 34 and pass into a window 50 formed within an inward face of block 38 . The engagement of pin 48 with upper and/or lower ends of window 50 may limit a travel of plunger 34 that can be caused by the movement of release lever 40 .
- a micro-switch 52 may be mounted at an upper end of plunger 34 . As plunger 34 is pulled upward by the downward pressing of release lever 40 , the upper end of plunger 34 may engage micro-switch 52 . This engagement may trigger micro-switch 52 to generate a corresponding signal. Additionally or alternatively, as plunger 34 is allowed to move back downward by the release of lever 40 , the upper end of plunger 34 may move away from micro-switch 52 and generate another corresponding signal. The signal(s) generated by micro-switch 52 may be used to initiate, adjust, and/or terminate an imaging process, a cutting process, and/or another key-making related process.
- plunger 34 with micro-switch 52 may be adjustable, if desired.
- an adjusting screw/nut combination 54 may be located at the upper end of plunger 34 . With this configuration, a relative turn of combination 54 may affect a distance that plunger 34 protrudes towards micro-switch 52 .
- Other adjustment mechanisms may additionally or alternatively be included.
- FIGS. 5 and 6 illustrate an exemplary method of clamping the key into machine 10 in preparation for an imaging process or a cutting process.
- FIGS. 5 and 6 will be discussed in greater detail in the following section to further illustrate the disclosed concepts.
- the disclosed key making machine may be utilized to duplicate a master key from a key blank.
- the disclosed key making machine may be easy to use and produce a reduced number of mis-cuts due to the security provided by the disclosed clamp.
- An exemplary operation of the disclosed key making machine will now be described with reference to FIGS. 5 and 6 .
- a user may insert the master key to be duplicated through slot 23 of head guide 22 .
- the user may simultaneously push down on handle 46 , causing plunger 34 to lift upward against the bias of spring 33 and away from pressure pad 26 . This may reduce the force that must be overcome by the user during key insertion to about 3 lbs.
- pressure pad 26 may be urged upward against the bias of springs 28 .
- the action of pushing down on handle 46 may wake (i.e., trigger activation of) the associated machine 10 .
- micro-switch 52 may generate a corresponding signal causing machine to initiate an associated process (e.g., the imaging or cutting process).
- the action of pushing the key through slot 23 e.g., and moving tip guide 24 relative to sensor 27
- a combination of signals generated by micro-switch 52 and sensor 27 may function to wake machine 10 .
- the user may release handle 46 as shown in FIG. 6 .
- plunger 34 may be urged back downward and against the upper surface of pressure pad 26 . This engagement may allow spring 33 to add about 12 lbs. to the force already being exerted by springs 28 on the head of the key, and result in security of the key sufficient for the imaging and/or cutting processes to commence. It is contemplated that the downward movement of plunger 34 may cause disengagement from micro-switch 52 and that micro-switch 52 may generate a corresponding signal used to additionally or alternatively control one or more automated processes.
- imaging system 12 may be triggered to capture one or more images of the shank.
- the images may show, among other things, an edge profile of the shank.
- an associated cutting system may be triggered to cut a biting pattern into the shank that matches the edge profile of the master key.
- the user may again press down on handle 46 to reduce the forces holding the key secure inside slot 23 . This may reduce the clamping forces from about 15 lbs. to about 3 lbs. Thereafter, the user may pull the key out of slot 23 with little effort, and then release handle 46 .
- tip guide 24 may be spring-biased toward slot 23 , to facilitate retrieval of the key by the user at the end of an associated process.
- tip guide 24 may actually push the key back through slot 23 when the clamping forces have been reduced in the manner described above.
- a dashpot 56 shown only in FIG. 1 ) may be used to dampen the returning motion of tip guide 24 .
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Abstract
Description
- This application is based on and claims the benefit of priority from U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/256,236 entitled MANUAL CLAMP FOR KEY MAKING MACHINE that was filed on Nov. 17, 2015, the contents of which are expressly incorporated herein by reference.
- The present disclosure is directed to a key making machine and, more particularly, to a manual clamp for a key making machine.
- Key making machines are used to create copies of master keys. In conventional machines, a master key is mounted into a clamp and held stationary while an image of the master key is captured. The image is then used to reproduce a corresponding pattern of notches within a key blank, thereby replicating the master key.
- An exemplary key making machine is disclosed in U.S. Patent Application Publication 2012/0243957 of Drake et al. that published on Sep. 27, 2012 (“the '957 publication”). In particular, the '957 publication discloses a machine that uses an optical imaging device to capture a silhouette of an inserted master key. The silhouette is measured to determine a depth, angle, and position of each tooth in the master key, and to determine if the master key includes a pattern on one side or on both sides. In order to capture the silhouette, the master key is manually secured inside the machine. Specifically, a user of the machine manually grasps a handle of a door clamp, and lifts upward to raise the door clamp against a spring bias. The master key is then placed within a slot formed in a base, and the door clamp is lowered back down onto the master key by the user. The spring bias causes the door clamp to maintain a downward force against the master key during imaging.
- Although the key making machine of the '957 publication may be adequate for some applications, it may still be less than optimal. In particular, it may be difficult for the door clamp to exert enough force on the master key to keep it secure during imaging, without making raising of the door clamp overly difficult for some users. In addition, it may be possible for the master key to be misaligned and/or to be mishandled during manual insertion while the door clamp is raised.
- The disclosed clamp and key making machine are directed to overcoming one or more of the problems set forth above and/or other problems of the prior art.
- In one aspect, the present disclosure is directed to a clamp for a key making machine. The clamp may include a stationary head guide having a slot configured to receive a key, and a pressure pad configured to engage the stationary head guide and sandwich the key therebetween. The clamp may also include at least a first spring configured to continuously generate a force biasing the pressure pad toward the stationary head guide, a plunger configured to selectively engage the pressure pad, and a second spring configured to bias the plunger toward the pressure pad. The clamp may further include a release lever manually operable to urge the plunger away from the pressure pad and to compress the second spring.
- In another aspect, the present disclosure is directed to a key making machine. The key making machine may include a housing having an opening configured to receive a key, an imaging system located within the housing and configured to capture an edge profile of the key, and a cutting system located within the housing and configured to cut a biting pattern into the key. The key making machine may also include a clamp configured to secure the key during at least one of an imaging process and a cutting process. The clamp may have a stationary head guide with a slot configured to receive a key, and a pressure pad configured to engage the stationary head guide and sandwich the key therebetween. The clamp may also have at least a first spring configured to continuously generate a force biasing the pressure pad toward the stationary head guide, a plunger configured to selectively engage the pressure pad, and a second spring configured to bias the plunger toward the pressure pad. The clamp may further have a release lever manually operable to urge the plunger away from the pressure pad and to compress the second spring.
- In another aspect, the present disclosure is directed to a method of clamping a key within a machine. The method may include pressing a lever to reduce a spring bias urging a pressure pad toward a head guide. The method may also include inserting a key between the pressure pad and the head guide, causing the pressure pad to move away from the head guide against a spring bias. The method may further include releasing the lever to increase the spring bias clamping the key between the pressure pad and the head guide during at least one of an imaging process and a cutting process performed on the key.
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FIG. 1 is a cutaway view illustration of an exemplary disclosed key making machine; -
FIG. 2 is an isometric view illustration of an exemplary disclosed clamp that may form a portion of the key making machine ofFIG. 1 ; -
FIG. 3 is a top plan view of the clamp ofFIG. 2 ; -
FIG. 4 is a perspective illustration of the key making machine and clamp ofFIGS. 1-3 , from an internal perspective; and -
FIGS. 5 and 6 are cross-sectional side views of the clamp ofFIGS. 2 and 3 shown in two different operating positions. -
FIG. 1 illustrates an exemplary key making machine (“machine”) 10 that can be used to fabricate a copy of an existing master key from a corresponding key blank. For example,machine 10 may be used to capture an edge profile of the master key and/or to create within the key blank a biting pattern corresponding to the edge profile. In the disclosed embodiment,machine 10 includes animaging system 12 configured to generate the edge profile of the master key, and aclamp 16 configured to secure the master key during profile generation.Imaging system 12 andclamp 16 may be co-located within acommon housing 18, portions of which have been removed fromFIG. 1 for clarity. It is contemplated thatmachine 10 could include additional or alternative systems (e.g., a cutting system, an inventory system, a debris removal system, etc.), if desired. For example,clamp 16 could additionally or alternatively be used to secure the key blank during biting profile generation by the cutting system. For the purposes of this disclosure, the term “key” will be used throughout the remainder of this disclosure to generically represent the master key and/or the key blank. - An exemplary embodiment of
clamp 16 is shown inFIGS. 2-4 . As is shown in these figures, anopening 20 may be formed in a front panel ofhousing 18 to provide user-access toclamp 16; afixed head guide 22 having aninternal slot 23 may be positioned at opening 20; and amovable tip guide 24 may be positioned behindhead guide 22. Each of these components may cooperate to receive the key as it is inserted by the user shank-first through opening 20.Edges 25 ofslot 23 may be beveled inward toward a general center such that, as the key is inserted, the head of the key may engage the bevels and be urged toward the center (i.e., toward greater alignment with tip guide 24). The key may be inserted until the head engages lateral sides ofhead guide 22 to about the same degree. In most applications, this engagement should result in the key being lengthwise aligned with tip guide 24 (e.g., within a desired angle).Tip guide 24 may slide from opening 20 inward to a desired imaging/cutting position during and/or after insertion of the key intohead guide 22. In some embodiments, a sensor 27 (e.g., an optical sensor—shown only inFIG. 2 ) may be used to detect movement oftip guide 24 and thereby trigger activation ofmachine 10. For example,sensor 27 may be configured to generate a beam of energy that passes through acorresponding gap 29 intip guide 24 at a time whentip guide 24 is situated to receive the key. Astip guide 24 is pushed inward during key insertion,gap 29 may move pastsensor 27 such that the beam of energy is blocked bytip guide 24. The blocking of the beam may result in a signal being generated that is indicative of key insertion. - As the key is being loaded into head guide 22 (and into tip guide 24), the key may need to be secured to reduce misalignment and mishandling errors. For this reason,
clamp 16 may further include amovable pressure pad 26 that is biased downward (relative to the perspective shown inFIGS. 2 and 4 ) againsthead guide 22 by a pair ofsprings 28 located at opposing ends of pressure pad 26 (i.e., at opposing sides of slot 23). Eachspring 28 may internally receive avertical guide rail 30 that passes through both ofhead guide 22 andpressure pad 26, and be held in place via asnap ring 32 connected to a distal end ofguide rail 30. With this configuration, the head of the key may be sandwiched between a lower surface ofpressure pad 26 and an upper surface ofslot 23. In one embodiment,springs 28 may together apply a continuous downward force of about 3 lbs. on the head of the key. As the user pushes the key intohead guide 22,pressure pad 26 may be urged by the engagement with the key upward against the bias ofsprings 28 and away fromhead guide 22. In some embodiments, one ormore travel limiters 31 may be used to limit a maximum distance that pressurepad 26 may be moved away from head guide 22 during insertion of the key. It is contemplated thattravel limiters 31 may be omitted, if desired, and/or that another configuration ofsprings 28 may alternatively be implemented to provide the continuous downward bias onpressure pad 26. - While the continuous bias of
springs 28 exerted onpressure pad 26 against the head of the key may help to reduce misalignment and mishandling errors during loading, the bias may be insufficient for subsequent imaging and/or cutting processes. That is, the key may need to remain completely stationary during the subsequent process(es), and an additional temporary biasing force may be used for this purpose after the key is already located betweenhead guide 22 andpressure pad 26. The temporary biasing force may be provided via anadditional spring 33, and exerted onpressure pad 26 via aplunger 34. In particular, as shown inFIG. 4 ,plunger 34 may be reciprocally disposed to slide within avertical bore 36 of ablock 38 that is mounted gravitationally abovepressure pad 26, andspring 33 may be compressed between a bottom surface ofblock 38 and asnap ring 39 that is connected to a midpoint ofplunger 34. In this location,spring 33 may generate a force onplunger 34, urgingplunger 34 downward against the upper surface ofpressure pad 26. In the disclosed embodiment, the additional force generated byspring 33 may be about 12 lbs., making for a total of about 15 lbs. pressing down on the head of the key. - The combined forces of
springs 28 andspring 33 pressing down on the key may be too large in some instances for the user to overcome simply by pushing the key intoslot 23. In these instances, a mechanical advantage may be provided to help reduce the effort required from the operator. In the disclosed embodiment, the mechanical advantage is provided by way of a lever arm. Specifically, arelease lever 40 may be pivotally connected at an internal end toplunger 34 via afirst pivot pin 42. For example,pivot pin 42 may pass transversely throughplunger 34, andrelease lever 40 may be forked at its internal end to receivepivot pin 42 between corresponding tines 41.Release lever 40 may also be pivotally connected to block 38 via asecond pivot pin 44 that passes transversely though a shaft ofrelease lever 40. A push button or handle 46 may be formed at an external end of the release lever shaft. In this configuration,second pivot pin 44 may function as a fulcrum, such that, whenhandle 46 is pushed downward by the user,plunger 34 may be pulled upwards and away frompressure pad 26 with a mechanically multiplied moment. When this occurs, the force urgingpressure pad 26 towardhead guide 22 may be reduced (e.g., from about 15 lbs. to about 3 lbs.). In some embodiments, atravel limit pin 48 may protrude inward fromplunger 34 and pass into a window 50 formed within an inward face ofblock 38. The engagement ofpin 48 with upper and/or lower ends of window 50 may limit a travel ofplunger 34 that can be caused by the movement ofrelease lever 40. - In some embodiments, a micro-switch 52 may be mounted at an upper end of
plunger 34. Asplunger 34 is pulled upward by the downward pressing ofrelease lever 40, the upper end ofplunger 34 may engagemicro-switch 52. This engagement may triggermicro-switch 52 to generate a corresponding signal. Additionally or alternatively, asplunger 34 is allowed to move back downward by the release oflever 40, the upper end ofplunger 34 may move away frommicro-switch 52 and generate another corresponding signal. The signal(s) generated bymicro-switch 52 may be used to initiate, adjust, and/or terminate an imaging process, a cutting process, and/or another key-making related process. - It is contemplated that the engagement of
plunger 34 withmicro-switch 52 may be adjustable, if desired. For example, an adjusting screw/nut combination 54 may be located at the upper end ofplunger 34. With this configuration, a relative turn ofcombination 54 may affect a distance that plunger 34 protrudes towardsmicro-switch 52. Other adjustment mechanisms may additionally or alternatively be included. -
FIGS. 5 and 6 illustrate an exemplary method of clamping the key intomachine 10 in preparation for an imaging process or a cutting process.FIGS. 5 and 6 will be discussed in greater detail in the following section to further illustrate the disclosed concepts. - The disclosed key making machine may be utilized to duplicate a master key from a key blank. The disclosed key making machine may be easy to use and produce a reduced number of mis-cuts due to the security provided by the disclosed clamp. An exemplary operation of the disclosed key making machine will now be described with reference to
FIGS. 5 and 6 . - As shown in
FIG. 5 , to begin the duplication process, a user (e.g., a customer or sales associate) may insert the master key to be duplicated throughslot 23 ofhead guide 22. In order to reduce the force required to push the master key intoslot 23, the user may simultaneously push down onhandle 46, causingplunger 34 to lift upward against the bias ofspring 33 and away frompressure pad 26. This may reduce the force that must be overcome by the user during key insertion to about 3 lbs. As the key is inserted throughslot 23,pressure pad 26 may be urged upward against the bias ofsprings 28. - In some embodiments, the action of pushing down on handle 46 (or the corresponding lifting action of plunger 34) may wake (i.e., trigger activation of) the associated
machine 10. In particular, as the upper end ofplunger 34 engagesmicro-switch 52,micro-switch 52 may generate a corresponding signal causing machine to initiate an associated process (e.g., the imaging or cutting process). In other embodiments, the action of pushing the key through slot 23 (e.g., and movingtip guide 24 relative to sensor 27) may wake the associatedmachine 10. In yet other embodiments, a combination of signals generated bymicro-switch 52 andsensor 27 may function to wakemachine 10. - After the key has been fully inserted into machine 10 (i.e., after the head of the key has engaged the beveled surfaces at
slot 23 and/or after the tip end of the key shank has engaged and pushed back tip guide 24), the user may release handle 46 as shown inFIG. 6 . Ashandle 46 is released,plunger 34 may be urged back downward and against the upper surface ofpressure pad 26. This engagement may allowspring 33 to add about 12 lbs. to the force already being exerted bysprings 28 on the head of the key, and result in security of the key sufficient for the imaging and/or cutting processes to commence. It is contemplated that the downward movement ofplunger 34 may cause disengagement frommicro-switch 52 and that micro-switch 52 may generate a corresponding signal used to additionally or alternatively control one or more automated processes. - After the shank of a master key is inserted into
machine 10, imaging system 12 (referring toFIG. 1 ) may be triggered to capture one or more images of the shank. The images may show, among other things, an edge profile of the shank. After the shank of a key blank is inserted intomachine 10 or another machine, an associated cutting system may be triggered to cut a biting pattern into the shank that matches the edge profile of the master key. - To remove the key from clamp 16 (e.g., after the imaging and/or cutting process is complete), the user may again press down on
handle 46 to reduce the forces holding the key secureinside slot 23. This may reduce the clamping forces from about 15 lbs. to about 3 lbs. Thereafter, the user may pull the key out ofslot 23 with little effort, and then releasehandle 46. - In some embodiments,
tip guide 24 may be spring-biased towardslot 23, to facilitate retrieval of the key by the user at the end of an associated process. In particular,tip guide 24 may actually push the key back throughslot 23 when the clamping forces have been reduced in the manner described above. In these configurations, in order to inhibit tip guide 24 from completely ejecting the key out of machine 10 (e.g., to keep the key from falling to the floor when not properly grasped by the user), a dashpot 56 (shown only inFIG. 1 ) may be used to dampen the returning motion oftip guide 24. - It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications and variations can be made to the disclosed clamp and key making machine. Other embodiments will be apparent to those skilled in the art from consideration of the specification and practice of the disclosed clamp and key making machine. It is intended that the specification and examples be considered as exemplary only, with a true scope being indicated by the following claims and their equivalents.
Claims (20)
Priority Applications (1)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
US15/284,239 US9895753B2 (en) | 2015-11-17 | 2016-10-03 | Manual clamp for key making machine |
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
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US201562256236P | 2015-11-17 | 2015-11-17 | |
US15/284,239 US9895753B2 (en) | 2015-11-17 | 2016-10-03 | Manual clamp for key making machine |
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US20170136557A1 true US20170136557A1 (en) | 2017-05-18 |
US9895753B2 US9895753B2 (en) | 2018-02-20 |
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Cited By (7)
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US10124420B2 (en) | 2016-02-08 | 2018-11-13 | The Hillman Group, Inc. | Key duplication machine having user-based functionality |
US10196834B2 (en) | 2013-08-16 | 2019-02-05 | The Hillman Group, Inc. | Fabrication system for key making machine |
US10406607B2 (en) | 2016-09-13 | 2019-09-10 | The Hillman Group, Inc. | Key duplication machine having pivoting clamp |
US10628813B2 (en) | 2010-06-03 | 2020-04-21 | The Hillman Group, Inc. | Key duplication system |
US10737335B2 (en) | 2017-03-17 | 2020-08-11 | The Hillman Group, Inc. | Key duplication system with key blank orientation detection features |
US10737336B2 (en) | 2006-11-28 | 2020-08-11 | The Hillman Group, Inc. | Self service key duplicating machine with automatic key model identification system |
US10846842B2 (en) | 2010-07-15 | 2020-11-24 | The Hillman Group, Inc. | Key identification system |
Families Citing this family (2)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
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GB202019160D0 (en) | 2020-02-05 | 2021-01-20 | Iconx Ltd | Key scanning |
US11712743B2 (en) * | 2020-12-20 | 2023-08-01 | Ikeyless, Llc | Key cutting machine with improved key holder |
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US10737336B2 (en) | 2006-11-28 | 2020-08-11 | The Hillman Group, Inc. | Self service key duplicating machine with automatic key model identification system |
US10628813B2 (en) | 2010-06-03 | 2020-04-21 | The Hillman Group, Inc. | Key duplication system |
US11810090B2 (en) | 2010-06-03 | 2023-11-07 | The Hillman Group, Inc. | Key duplication system |
US11170356B2 (en) | 2010-06-03 | 2021-11-09 | The Hillman Group, Inc. | Key duplication system |
US10846842B2 (en) | 2010-07-15 | 2020-11-24 | The Hillman Group, Inc. | Key identification system |
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US11642744B2 (en) * | 2013-08-16 | 2023-05-09 | The Hillman Group, Inc. | Identification module for key making machine |
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US10124420B2 (en) | 2016-02-08 | 2018-11-13 | The Hillman Group, Inc. | Key duplication machine having user-based functionality |
US10668543B2 (en) | 2016-02-08 | 2020-06-02 | The Hillman Group, Inc. | Key duplication machine having user-based functionality |
US11780017B2 (en) | 2016-02-08 | 2023-10-10 | The Hillman Group, Inc. | Key duplication machine having user-based functionality |
US10406607B2 (en) | 2016-09-13 | 2019-09-10 | The Hillman Group, Inc. | Key duplication machine having pivoting clamp |
US11697165B2 (en) | 2016-09-13 | 2023-07-11 | The Hillman Group, Inc. | Key duplication machine having pivoting clamp |
US10661359B2 (en) | 2016-09-13 | 2020-05-26 | The Hillman Group, Inc. | Key duplication machine having pivoting clamp |
US10737335B2 (en) | 2017-03-17 | 2020-08-11 | The Hillman Group, Inc. | Key duplication system with key blank orientation detection features |
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
US9895753B2 (en) | 2018-02-20 |
MX2016014324A (en) | 2018-04-30 |
CA2947356C (en) | 2019-06-11 |
CA2947356A1 (en) | 2017-05-17 |
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